Many like to get something on sale. IN the supermarket they
look for buy one, get one free (BOGO). Would you be surprised to learn that
such a bargain can be had in an educational institution? Just take a look at
Florida Atlantic University High School in Boca Raton Florida. According to
school administrators, they believe that this is the only high school in the
United States where a student can obtain both a high school diploma and a
bachelor’s degree at the same time. This means that the 130 or so graduates
leave school with a BA degree at age 19! The competition for admission to this
program in intense. The school receives approximatrely700 applications each
year and accepts about 140.Most of the cost of this unique program is borne by
the state of Florida, while the students must pay a $500 university activity
fee per year.
This dual program is not for every student. Parents and
students are advised that there is quite a bit of research and work required in
this program. However, many of the students are still able to participate in
extra-curricular activities, even sports.
According to school officials, the student population is a
diverse one and about 30% receive free or reduced lunch.
In the ninth grade, first year at school, students are
basically in a high school setting, but beginning in the tenth grade, most of the
students study at the university- Florida Atlantic University, often attending
classes with students much older than they are. Many of the students are so successful
that Florida Atlantic University Medical School reserves five seats in its
incoming class for students from the FAU High School program. (Note- the high school
does not have a football program).
For those readers who are currently involved in charter or
magnet school programs, this is an option worth investigating.
c.2016 J. Margolis
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